Search Google Appliance

Fire Engine Plate, "20"

Description (Brief)

At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.

The Diligent Fire Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania used this engine plate during the early 19th century. This curved metal engine plate has "20" engraved in the center of the obverse and "Diligent" engraved on reverse. The plate has holes in the four corners that allowed it to be attached to the engine.

Comments

Add a comment about this object

**Please read before submitting the form**

Have a comment or question about this object to share with the community? Please use the form below. Selected comments will appear on this page and may receive a museum response (but we can't promise). Please note that we generally cannot answer questions about the history, rarity, or value of your personal artifacts.

Have a question about anything else, or would you prefer a personal response? Please visit our FAQ
or contact page.

Personal information will not be shared or result in unsolicited e-mail. See our privacy policy.

Your name *

E-mail *

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.